JKU hinge mount for Hi lift - who do we like? UPDATED

[ratled]

Looking at hinge mounts for the Hi lift - or similar. I won't be changing out the bumper or adding a different tire carrier. Hood mounts are NOT on the radar.

There are the cheap ones in the $50'ish range that have me leery.

There are the $100'ish ones such as the Evo and the Terra Flex. - the Terra Flex add ons look like you could overwhelm the hinges but 1 Roto pax wouldn't hurt

Up from there is the AEV JK Hi-Lift / Pull-Pal Mount - A pull pal is in my future so this looks interesting

Anyway, looking for some recommendations to look at and ones to stay away form

Thanks

ratled

 

[ratled]

Anyone familiar with the Magnus 3 10 A bumper mount?
Thanks
ratled

http://www.quadratec.com/p/maximus-3/hi-lift-jack-mount-13-17-jeep-wrangler-jk-mopar-10th-anniversary-rubicon-hard-rock

 

[GetOutThere]

Not familiar with that particular bumper mount, but I don't like it from a liability perspective. It doesn't seem like a hard sell to say that a crude farm implement mounted to the front bumper caused more damage to an individual than would have been caused otherwise. While I'm not a physics major, I also wouldn't trust that mount to keep the hi lift secure in the event of a vehicle collision or other hard object collision.

Personally, I ran the Rugged Ridge mount:



I ran this mount for a couple of years, and I have some observations/recommendations I can provide. Firstly, I would not recommend mounting the hi-lift anywhere, inside or out, unless you are off on an excursion where it may be required. It is heavy, it rattles like a bugger, and it will rust like mad. Even with regular attention, the working mechanisms get clogged up with dirt. Breaking down, stripping paint, repainting and rebuilding the hi-lift is not a fun job, and having to do it after only two years, I resolved to never run the hi-lift on a day to day basis ever again. My personal experience pushes me to recommend a mount that can be removed and stored until needed, or is unobtrusive enough to leave on the Jeep until it is time to mount the chin smasher.

With that in mind, I was actually pretty impressed by the mount. Fit was questionable, and the drilling template provided with the kit was actually off by more than half an inch. Finish was actually excellent, and held up much better than the hi lift itself. The mount is lockable, though the lock just adds another level of rattle. I didn't like how the screw caps could be screwed off by any passerby, but mine never disappeared. With this mount you must remember to close the tailgate before the window every time, or you'll be replacing your back window. While stock, you can get away with not opening the tailgate fully, and are still able to open the rear glass. This is not an option with this mount, and your rear glass with smash into the hi lift. These particular issues are easy to avoid... for you. If anyone else uses your tailgate, they will invariably find a way to screw this up.

 

[ratled]

Thanks Brian, supports my thoughts. The RR has had the similar feedback as yours and why it was not mentioned. For the price range the TF and EVO are basically the same. The attraction to me for the front mount, which wasn't on my radar until I saw that one, is 4 easy bolts and the mount comes off when not in use. The lift would only be on during trips


Thanks for the feed back

ratled

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

Hi-lift mount was a difficult choice for me, like you I didn't want it on the hood.

I started with the Teraflex mount on the rear with CB antenna and rotopax. That location caused interference with my antenna.
Next up was the front bumper mount, mine was higher than the one you pictured and interfered with the lights.
Then lastly I moved it to the hood. Ughhh, hate them up there. BUT it seems to work best of all the solutions so far. Like Brian said, they rattle, a few zip ties solved that. And they rust, keeping it coated with WD-40 seems to help.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[Blue Baby Sound]

I'll also add that if your primary purpose for the hi-lift is as a jack, then consider adding a bottle jack to the rear cubby instead. IMO
I carry one and prefer using it to jack up the Jeep.

 

[ratled]

Thanks BBS for the reply, I appreciate the info. I will carry the Hi Lift for a variety of reasons including as jack. For paved or level surfaces I will use the provided jack. The TF was at the top of the list for the tail gate mounts and overall.

Love the pics of Bruticon!

ratled

 

[ratled]

Got, I went with the Maximus 3 Front Hi Lift Mount. EZ on/off and no rattle as far as I know when driving. Since it will only be on during outings I'm not too worried about it being there. I also have cheap bike cable lock I thread on in case we stop for more than few minutes to slow it down from walking away. Oh, one important note when asking for for Jeep items for presents - be sure to provide an extremely accurate in your description. Otherwise you will wind up with a High Lift jack and not a Hi Lift jack

ratled